Fifth time lucky for Calandagan as he sweeps aside Aventure for Group 1 breakthrough

Calandagan may have gone 53 weeks without getting his head in front but, when everything absolutely clicks with this horse, there are few in Europe who can live with him over a mile and a half.

That previous victory came at Royal Ascot last June, when he handed out a six-length thrashing to his Group 2 rivals, and putting three and a half lengths on last year’s Arc runner-up Aventure here showed that the Aga Khan Studs' son of Gleneagles will be a serious rival for whomever he faces in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot next month.

For trainer Francis Graffard it must have been a complex final two furlongs to digest; as Calandagan put an end to a sequence of four second places at Group 1 level in spectacular style, he also had to watch Goliath cut out tamely and coast home in fifth, the horse unrecognisable from the one who came back to form in La Coupe three weeks earlier, let alone the one who dominated last season’s King George.

Calandagan had been set a series of tough tasks, chasing after City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International and then being caught close home by Anmaat in the Champion Stakes, while this term Japanese ace Danon Decile and then Jan Brueghel – who he could meet again at Ascot – had been the rivals getting in the way of that elusive Group 1 victory.

“I never lost confidence in him and you have to remember that he has been making a sort of comeback both times this season,” said Graffard. “In Dubai he was beaten by a horse that had already run twice and, although he really picked up well, he needed the race.

“At Epsom he had a few little things against him including the ground and the last little uphill stretch, while he was only beaten half a length."

Mickael Barzalona and Calandagan after winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud

Mickael Barzalona and Calandagan after winning the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-CloudCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Junko and Cristian Demuro led the field along initially at reasonably sedate fractions before winding up the pace with half a mile to run. Mickael Barzalona sat fourth of the five runners on Calandagan, potentially giving Goliath and Aventure first crack when the field levelled up.

But Calandagan produced a scintillating burst to settle matters in the penultimate furlong, closing in 33.67s for the final three furlongs.

“I will obviously discuss it with connections but it seems sensible to go to Ascot, a place where he has won before,” said Graffard. “I need to take him there at 100 per cent.”

After five runs away from home, Graffard said he was pleased to have opted for the Grand Prix over another road trip to next Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse.

Graffard said: “I don’t think ground is important to him but you could see there the way he really accelerated on that good going. He’s won on very soft ground as well but I hope we get good ground and that I can get him in peak form for the end of July and go there with a real chance. In any case I’m pleased we decided to stay home with him this time.”

Happy connections after Calandagan's victory in the Grnd Prix de Saint-Cloud

Happy connections after Calandagan's victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-CloudCredit: Racing Post/Burton

The coming days may tell us more about what went wrong for Goliath, although Graffard said there were no signs of concern straight after the race.

“He had the perfect run,” said Graffard. “We knew Junko was going to go to the front and he travelled nice and relaxed in behind him. When they entered the straight and he pulled him out, we can see he didn’t pick up like he’s used to doing.

"Christophe [Soumillon] was very easy on him and he seems to be fine after the race, but we’ll investigate. It’s very hot today but obviously he didn’t give his running.”

Up against four geldings, Aventure was the only runner who we can expect to see line up for the Arc and, while there is now plenty of 16-1 and 20-1 about her chances of going one better than in 2024, trainer Christophe Ferland declared himself delighted with her effort.

“Aventure ran really well,” said Ferland. “Calandagan is a rock, he has a real turn of foot. To finish second in a Group 1 against the boys is great and we were beaten by the better horse. Next stop will be the Prix Jean Romanet.”

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35 Ascot, July 26)
Coral: 5-2 Jan Brueghel, 3 Calandagan, 6 Kalpana, Rebel's Romance, 7 Calandagan, 8 Lambourn, Ombudsman, Sosie, 10 Amiloc, 12 Almaqam, Whirl, 16 Goliath, 20 bar.

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